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Post by badhabitude on Sept 6, 2023 17:00:28 GMT
I was in a hurry this a.m. and the NHL network was talking about Marchand and the C.
Seemed like they were saying its a done deal.
But all the articles I'm reading are speculating that he's just the leading candidate.
Did I misunderstand or miss part of the talk on NHL network?
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Post by #4 Bobby Orr! GOAT! on Sept 7, 2023 2:11:59 GMT
Might as well give it to fucking Grizz, he is the most loved by DS or he would have been bought out.
Then there’s CC, give him the CCC, might as well make a 3rd line c be the Ccc
We fucking need a TRUE CENTER top notch centre or we are doomed.
Toronto is going to laugh at this lineup
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Post by schlich on Sept 7, 2023 10:52:37 GMT
Earlier this summer I read something that indicated Mcavoy was a lock
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Post by dannycater on Sept 7, 2023 13:41:45 GMT
I'd give the C to Bergeron permanently, even in retirement.
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Post by Lord Markwart on Sept 7, 2023 13:56:58 GMT
Wayne Cashman is not ready to give it up to Bergeron just yet.
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 7, 2023 20:06:28 GMT
Wayne Cashman is not ready to give it up to Bergeron just yet. Have to pry it out of Shore's cold, dead hand. |
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 7, 2023 20:15:18 GMT
Might as well give it to fucking Grizz, he is the most loved by DS or he would have been bought out. Then there’s CC, give him the CCC, might as well make a 3rd line c be the Ccc We fucking need a TRUE CENTER top notch centre or we are doomed. Toronto is going to laugh at this lineup You must be fun at parties. Zacha's a true centre. He was drafted as a centre. He's bounced back and forth because he's been on teams with more prestige C in the top six roles, but he's taken about 1300 draws the last 3 years, has a FO% solidly over 51% in that time, and looked really good at C with Pastrnak when DK was out. He just turned 26 and is coming off of a career year. He'll be fine. He won't put up McDavid numbers, but he'll be fine, and the Bruins will have a legit #1 line either with DeBrusk on the left with those two or Marchand if they aren't getting scoring playing for depth. Coyle is what Coyle is. I agree they're better if they acquire a top notch C...but then what team isn't? And you need to stop watching Canadian sports media. They will do just fine against the Laffs. The only way the Leafs ever lift the cup is if they replace the bowl at the top of the Trophy with a sieve in honour of that D and goaltending. |
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Post by The OC on Sept 7, 2023 23:13:35 GMT
I think if it's anyone but Marchand it's an insult to the longest-serving Bruin by a longshot. I'm also not totally sold it should be McAvoy next, either. Pastrnak just finished 2nd in Hart voting. Can be MVP but not captain?
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Post by 50belowzero on Sept 8, 2023 13:38:26 GMT
I think if it's anyone but Marchand it's an insult to the longest-serving Bruin by a longshot. I'm also not totally sold it should be McAvoy next, either. Pastrnak just finished 2nd in Hart voting. Can be MVP but not captain? Marchand no question, heart and soul Bruin through and through. McAvoy can take it in a few years, lots of time. |
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Post by sandogbrewin on Sept 8, 2023 18:02:36 GMT
I don't give flying flock who wears the C. I want to watch the Bruins make then win in the playoffs. Doesn't matter who wears a letter. The players know who the leaders are.
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 8, 2023 18:27:09 GMT
I think if it's anyone but Marchand it's an insult to the longest-serving Bruin by a longshot. I'm also not totally sold it should be McAvoy next, either. Pastrnak just finished 2nd in Hart voting. Can be MVP but not captain? I hate all the blah blah blah about what's insulting to players who feel entitled to something. Screw that. If I didn't want to give the C to Marchand, I would make a point of calling him in and explaining why before I made any announcement; I'd give him an A, and I would tell him I made this decision with the expectation that he is a professional and a leader who I can trust to support my choice for captain and do what he can to help that captain lead the team. If he has a problem with it, he can tell me why. In terms of why not, I think it's legit to say you do not think its prudent to have a player who is one of the most suspended players in the league as your official voice to the refs. That he has shown very poor judgement as recently as his stupid spearing call on Jarry, and that you can't trust him to lead by example in terms of composure on the ice. And I would add that his career has shown that yes, he can tone down the antics but that it has an impact on his play. He hasn't been able to be both 100% swagger and a model citizen. By his own admission, Bergeron regularly had to tell both Marchand and Pastrnak to shut up when they were being bitchy on the bench. Similar objection to the idea that Pastrnak has some "right" because he was the second most valuable player in the league. I've never believed that there's some kind of natural law that the best player should be the captain, and I can think of a number of examples where that's backfired. I would agree that you need to be the kind of player that the rest of the roster respects, though, so giving it to Lucic would probably be risky - on the one hand, tons of goodwill for the former Bruin and one of the toughest guys and most team-oriented players, but on the other hand...he's not a top six player any more. Hard for him to get the ear of the hotshots. |
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Post by kelvana33 on Sept 10, 2023 13:45:03 GMT
I don't give flying flock who wears the C. I want to watch the Bruins make then win in the playoffs. Doesn't matter who wears a letter. The players know who the leaders are. I agree with this, but, I think there is till something to be said about being a captain of an original 6 team. |
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Post by kelvana33 on Sept 10, 2023 13:48:48 GMT
Might as well give it to fucking Grizz, he is the most loved by DS or he would have been bought out. Then there’s CC, give him the CCC, might as well make a 3rd line c be the Ccc We fucking need a TRUE CENTER top notch centre or we are doomed. Toronto is going to laugh at this lineup You must be fun at parties. Zacha's a true centre. He was drafted as a centre. He's bounced back and forth because he's been on teams with more prestige C in the top six roles, but he's taken about 1300 draws the last 3 years, has a FO% solidly over 51% in that time, and looked really good at C with Pastrnak when DK was out. He just turned 26 and is coming off of a career year. He'll be fine. He won't put up McDavid numbers, but he'll be fine, and the Bruins will have a legit #1 line either with DeBrusk on the left with those two or Marchand if they aren't getting scoring playing for depth. Coyle is what Coyle is. I agree they're better if they acquire a top notch C...but then what team isn't? And you need to stop watching Canadian sports media. They will do just fine against the Laffs. The only way the Leafs ever lift the cup is if they replace the bowl at the top of the Trophy with a sieve in honour of that D and goaltending. He struggled as a center though. Had his best year because he played wing on a top line. Now, can he play center on a top line? I think he's real good player, I wonder if you get more out of him on the wing with top players than at center. |
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 10, 2023 14:23:45 GMT
You must be fun at parties. Zacha's a true centre. He was drafted as a centre. He's bounced back and forth because he's been on teams with more prestige C in the top six roles, but he's taken about 1300 draws the last 3 years, has a FO% solidly over 51% in that time, and looked really good at C with Pastrnak when DK was out. He just turned 26 and is coming off of a career year. He'll be fine. He won't put up McDavid numbers, but he'll be fine, and the Bruins will have a legit #1 line either with DeBrusk on the left with those two or Marchand if they aren't getting scoring playing for depth. Coyle is what Coyle is. I agree they're better if they acquire a top notch C...but then what team isn't? And you need to stop watching Canadian sports media. They will do just fine against the Laffs. The only way the Leafs ever lift the cup is if they replace the bowl at the top of the Trophy with a sieve in honour of that D and goaltending. He struggled as a center though. Had his best year because he played wing on a top line. Now, can he play center on a top line? I think he's real good player, I wonder if you get more out of him on the wing with top players than at center. I thought he was excellent at C for the Bruins and out the idea that he isn't as good there behind him. |
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Post by schlich on Sept 10, 2023 16:47:43 GMT
I don't give flying flock who wears the C. I want to watch the Bruins make then win in the playoffs. Doesn't matter who wears a letter. The players know who the leaders are. I agree with this, but, I think there is till something to be said about being a captain of an original 6 team. I think it is very important to the players who think they should be considered for an A or a C |
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Post by sandogbrewin on Sept 10, 2023 22:27:17 GMT
I don't give flying flock who wears the C. I want to watch the Bruins make then win in the playoffs. Doesn't matter who wears a letter. The players know who the leaders are. I agree with this, but, I think there is till something to be said about being a captain of an original 6 team. I do believe Marchand has paid his dues and should get the C. If BM doesn't get the C he's still a leader in the locker room. Wearing a C for an original 6 team does give a player, especially from Canada, some prestige. The interest ,within fanbases, that hate the Bruins, is high. And the scuttle butt is they don't think Marchand should get the C. Which makes me want BM to be named captain even more. |
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 11, 2023 20:17:32 GMT
I agree with this, but, I think there is till something to be said about being a captain of an original 6 team. I do believe Marchand has paid his dues and should get the C. If BM doesn't get the C he's still a leader in the locker room. Wearing a C for an original 6 team does give a player, especially from Canada, some prestige. The interest ,within fanbases, that hate the Bruins, is high. And the scuttle butt is they don't think Marchand should get the C. Which makes me want BM to be named captain even more. Me, too. I want to see Ron McLean's head explode. Sorry, that's off topic, but it is what it is. Oh, and I guess Marchand getting the C would bug him. It's funny that we're having this conversation again so soon after the transition from Chara to Patrice. Z was such an unquestioned choice for a decade. No one worked harder, no one took his commitment more seriously, and there was no one that any of the players wanted to have their back more than the big man. Same sort of thing with Patrice. Never heard a player, any player, say a bad word about him. I did hear Giroux say he cheats on faceoffs. But definition of playing through it, commitment to playing the right way etc. etc. - insert cliche here. So no one thought twice about that transition. This is the most wide-open the question of a captain has been since Ray left. I'm almost certain they will give it to Marchand and I think Montgomery's the kind of guy who will let Brad skate out for he opener with the C on his jersey and that's how he'll make it known. I don't think McAvoy or Pastrnak will have any issue with that - they know they've got time to take it on later in their careers and if Bergeron can wait 15+ years, they can hold on a bit longer. I mentioned Lucic before and I think he'd be an interesting option. But after those four players...is there anyone else you'd even consider? JVR's coming off of a down year with a team that was among the worst squads in the league. Shattnerkirk likewise. So there aren't 'respected vets' like a Foligno who has been there and done that. Lots of turnover means that you don't have the same number of returning players we're used to seeing. Lindholm, I suppose, could be a choice but he doesn't seem like the type. Coyle is the same - no disrespect to him intended but...I just don't see him leading the charge or getting the team ready to go through a wall. Zacha is quiet from what I've seen, and so's Carlo. Forbort the same. Can't be Grz or they'll never trade him to make GOAT happy...but he is the kind of cerebral kid who might not be a bad choice. DeBrusk would be a trainwreck. He'd be a cheerleader but not a leader - he sometimes sounds like he walked straight out of an audition for Shoresy. Freddy is too young mentally. I'd say Marchand 3-2, McAvoy 4-1, Pastrnak 7-1, Lucic 20-1 and the Field 1000-1. |
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Post by 50belowzero on Sept 11, 2023 21:50:41 GMT
I do believe Marchand has paid his dues and should get the C. If BM doesn't get the C he's still a leader in the locker room. Wearing a C for an original 6 team does give a player, especially from Canada, some prestige. The interest ,within fanbases, that hate the Bruins, is high. And the scuttle butt is they don't think Marchand should get the C. Which makes me want BM to be named captain even more. Me, too. I want to see Ron McLean's head explode. That would be glorious, its definitely on my bucket list of things to see...
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 12, 2023 1:30:36 GMT
I do believe Marchand has paid his dues and should get the C. If BM doesn't get the C he's still a leader in the locker room. Wearing a C for an original 6 team does give a player, especially from Canada, some prestige. The interest ,within fanbases, that hate the Bruins, is high. And the scuttle butt is they don't think Marchand should get the C. Which makes me want BM to be named captain even more. Me, too. I want to see Ron McLean's head explode. Sorry, that's off topic, but it is what it is. Oh, and I guess Marchand getting the C would bug him. It's funny that we're having this conversation again so soon after the transition from Chara to Patrice. Z was such an unquestioned choice for a decade. No one worked harder, no one took his commitment more seriously, and there was no one that any of the players wanted to have their back more than the big man. Same sort of thing with Patrice. Never heard a player, any player, say a bad word about him. I did hear Giroux say he cheats on faceoffs. But definition of playing through it, commitment to playing the right way etc. etc. - insert cliche here. So no one thought twice about that transition. This is the most wide-open the question of a captain has been since Ray left. I'm almost certain they will give it to Marchand and I think Montgomery's the kind of guy who will let Brad skate out for he opener with the C on his jersey and that's how he'll make it known. I don't think McAvoy or Pastrnak will have any issue with that - they know they've got time to take it on later in their careers and if Bergeron can wait 15+ years, they can hold on a bit longer. I mentioned Lucic before and I think he'd be an interesting option. But after those four players...is there anyone else you'd even consider? JVR's coming off of a down year with a team that was among the worst squads in the league. Shattnerkirk likewise. So there aren't 'respected vets' like a Foligno who has been there and done that. Lots of turnover means that you don't have the same number of returning players we're used to seeing. Lindholm, I suppose, could be a choice but he doesn't seem like the type. Coyle is the same - no disrespect to him intended but...I just don't see him leading the charge or getting the team ready to go through a wall. Zacha is quiet from what I've seen, and so's Carlo. Forbort the same. Can't be Grz or they'll never trade him to make GOAT happy...but he is the kind of cerebral kid who might not be a bad choice. DeBrusk would be a trainwreck. He'd be a cheerleader but not a leader - he sometimes sounds like he walked straight out of an audition for Shoresy. Freddy is too young mentally. I'd say Marchand 3-2, McAvoy 4-1, Pastrnak 7-1, Lucic 20-1 and the Field 1000-1. There’s only two dogs in this race and their last names begin with “M”…. And they’re not Megna or Mitchell either…. |
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Post by chappy28 on Sept 13, 2023 1:55:11 GMT
Might as well give it to fucking Grizz, he is the most loved by DS or he would have been bought out. Then there’s CC, give him the CCC, might as well make a 3rd line c be the Ccc We fucking need a TRUE CENTER top notch centre or we are doomed. Toronto is going to laugh at this lineup You must be fun at parties. Zacha's a true centre. He was drafted as a centre. He's bounced back and forth because he's been on teams with more prestige C in the top six roles, but he's taken about 1300 draws the last 3 years, has a FO% solidly over 51% in that time, and looked really good at C with Pastrnak when DK was out. He just turned 26 and is coming off of a career year. He'll be fine. He won't put up McDavid numbers, but he'll be fine, and the Bruins will have a legit #1 line either with DeBrusk on the left with those two or Marchand if they aren't getting scoring playing for depth. Coyle is what Coyle is. I agree they're better if they acquire a top notch C...but then what team isn't? And you need to stop watching Canadian sports media. They will do just fine against the Laffs. The only way the Leafs ever lift the cup is if they replace the bowl at the top of the Trophy with a sieve in honour of that D and goaltending. The good: Coyle took on a lot of defensive responsibility last year and tougher matchups than any other time in his career and did pretty good at it ---- that's one side of covering for what is lost in having Bergy on the ice against tough competition for his 17 a night The bad: Coyle simply isn't "that" good offensively beyond the occasional hot streak or head turning play that makes you wonder why he doesn't do that all the time. I don't see him turning into that either the verdict --- like you said, Zacha is fine, and this team has enough firepower to put together one really good offensive line on the strength of world class wings alone. Where we drop off is that second line offense. We really need Debrusk to drive a line, and I think we'll either need JVR to have a resurgence based on great chemistry, or we need to really hope that Lysell or Merkulov take a big step to turn that second line (yes, Coyle is the second line center) from a below average top 6 to at least average level. OR - Monty tries to spread the talent, in which case we are a team with 2 second lines, and no first lines. We used to always say 1A, 1B for Bergy/DK, now it will be 2A, 2B with no real first line. A lot is riding on Coyles shoulders right now in terms of how it all pans out IMO |
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Post by chappy28 on Sept 13, 2023 1:59:36 GMT
Me, too. I want to see Ron McLean's head explode. Sorry, that's off topic, but it is what it is. Oh, and I guess Marchand getting the C would bug him. It's funny that we're having this conversation again so soon after the transition from Chara to Patrice. Z was such an unquestioned choice for a decade. No one worked harder, no one took his commitment more seriously, and there was no one that any of the players wanted to have their back more than the big man. Same sort of thing with Patrice. Never heard a player, any player, say a bad word about him. I did hear Giroux say he cheats on faceoffs. But definition of playing through it, commitment to playing the right way etc. etc. - insert cliche here. So no one thought twice about that transition. This is the most wide-open the question of a captain has been since Ray left. I'm almost certain they will give it to Marchand and I think Montgomery's the kind of guy who will let Brad skate out for he opener with the C on his jersey and that's how he'll make it known. I don't think McAvoy or Pastrnak will have any issue with that - they know they've got time to take it on later in their careers and if Bergeron can wait 15+ years, they can hold on a bit longer. I mentioned Lucic before and I think he'd be an interesting option. But after those four players...is there anyone else you'd even consider? JVR's coming off of a down year with a team that was among the worst squads in the league. Shattnerkirk likewise. So there aren't 'respected vets' like a Foligno who has been there and done that. Lots of turnover means that you don't have the same number of returning players we're used to seeing. Lindholm, I suppose, could be a choice but he doesn't seem like the type. Coyle is the same - no disrespect to him intended but...I just don't see him leading the charge or getting the team ready to go through a wall. Zacha is quiet from what I've seen, and so's Carlo. Forbort the same. Can't be Grz or they'll never trade him to make GOAT happy...but he is the kind of cerebral kid who might not be a bad choice. DeBrusk would be a trainwreck. He'd be a cheerleader but not a leader - he sometimes sounds like he walked straight out of an audition for Shoresy. Freddy is too young mentally. I'd say Marchand 3-2, McAvoy 4-1, Pastrnak 7-1, Lucic 20-1 and the Field 1000-1. There’s only two dogs in this race and their last names begin with “M”…. And they’re not Megna or Mitchell either…. Yeah, would love to try to make a case for Pasta, but just doesn't seem like the personality for it. He's a stud for sure, but personality wise is closer to Spicoli from Fast Times than he is to Bergy or Chara. I want to see him drop the gloves, clean up the turnovers, and be more vocal before I'd think he's one to lead the team. And that's not a knock on the player, just seems like he's probably fine scoring goals and being happy-go-lucky. |
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 13, 2023 2:53:04 GMT
There’s only two dogs in this race and their last names begin with “M”…. And they’re not Megna or Mitchell either…. Yeah, would love to try to make a case for Pasta, but just doesn't seem like the personality for it. He's a stud for sure, but personality wise is closer to Spicoli from Fast Times than he is to Bergy or Chara. I want to see him drop the gloves, clean up the turnovers, and be more vocal before I'd think he's one to lead the team. And that's not a knock on the player, just seems like he's probably fine scoring goals and being happy-go-lucky. I’m the driver and you’re the navigator, now where’s the party?-Jeff Spicoli |
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 13, 2023 16:46:15 GMT
You must be fun at parties. Zacha's a true centre. He was drafted as a centre. He's bounced back and forth because he's been on teams with more prestige C in the top six roles, but he's taken about 1300 draws the last 3 years, has a FO% solidly over 51% in that time, and looked really good at C with Pastrnak when DK was out. He just turned 26 and is coming off of a career year. He'll be fine. He won't put up McDavid numbers, but he'll be fine, and the Bruins will have a legit #1 line either with DeBrusk on the left with those two or Marchand if they aren't getting scoring playing for depth. Coyle is what Coyle is. I agree they're better if they acquire a top notch C...but then what team isn't? And you need to stop watching Canadian sports media. They will do just fine against the Laffs. The only way the Leafs ever lift the cup is if they replace the bowl at the top of the Trophy with a sieve in honour of that D and goaltending. The good: Coyle took on a lot of defensive responsibility last year and tougher matchups than any other time in his career and did pretty good at it ---- that's one side of covering for what is lost in having Bergy on the ice against tough competition for his 17 a night The bad: Coyle simply isn't "that" good offensively beyond the occasional hot streak or head turning play that makes you wonder why he doesn't do that all the time. I don't see him turning into that either the verdict --- like you said, Zacha is fine, and this team has enough firepower to put together one really good offensive line on the strength of world class wings alone. Where we drop off is that second line offense. We really need Debrusk to drive a line, and I think we'll either need JVR to have a resurgence based on great chemistry, or we need to really hope that Lysell or Merkulov take a big step to turn that second line (yes, Coyle is the second line center) from a below average top 6 to at least average level. OR - Monty tries to spread the talent, in which case we are a team with 2 second lines, and no first lines. We used to always say 1A, 1B for Bergy/DK, now it will be 2A, 2B with no real first line. A lot is riding on Coyles shoulders right now in terms of how it all pans out IMO I agree that Coyle's performance is a big variable, but I wouldn't go quite as far as saying things ride on his shoulders. Maybe that's just semantics, but that feels like an excuse for guys getting paid a lot more or hoping to get paid a lot more - McAvoy, Pastrnak, Lindholm, Marchand need to take on the lion's share of the load, with DeBrusk, Ullmark, Zacha, Swayman all needing to show that when they get the chance Coyle got as a UFA, they're worth more. Then Coyle, in my eyes. But how Coyle performs as 2C could make a significant difference one way or the other. Last year, Coyle had 11 fewer points than Krejci in 12 more games, but 56 points isn't impossible for Coyle, though it is his career high. If he steps in with Marchand and DeBrusk, I think it's reasonable to expect that more gifted offensive linemates and more offensive opportunity should give him a chance to at least come close to Krejci's 56 points if not to match his .8 points/game. I think it's also "safe" to say that Coyle should be good for about 45 points. In 3 of his 4 years with the Bruins, he's banked something in the 0.52-0.54 points/game range including 44 and 45 points the last two years when he's played the full 82. So the drop in 2C production shouldn't be unmanageable unless it spills over to affect his linemates. DeBrusk had his worst time playing on Coyle's wing, and if I need a reason to be pessimistic about Coyle as a 2C, that's a big one. If Coyle and Debrusk tank one another they way they did three years ago, change is gonna come. And I hope swiftly. And I'll keep reminding myself and others that they don't need to match last year's offensive production to be a contender, but also that the loss of Bertuzzi, Orlov and Hathaway isn't that much of a subtraction from what they were for most of the year - which was an historically good team. In fact, their goals/game dropped after the acquisitions from 3.71 goals/game to 3.58. Hall, Foligno, Bergeron and Krejci are gone from that team, so that does hurt, but the task isn't as big as thinking they also have to account for the loss of Orlov, Bertuzzi and Hathaway. We've looked at this all a few different ways, and if their big guns don't collapse without those top two centres, and everyone plays up to their potential - not even their ceiling - then this will still be a top 15 to top 10 scoring team. If they also remain an elite defensive team, and keep their GA where it was, they'll still be a top 3 team in terms of goals for/against. The main thing with Coyle moving up is whether they can get 45 points from the 3C who replaces him. Geekie will be asked to replace Coyle who outscored him by 17 last year. JVR is the replacement for Hall; both played about 60 games and Hall had 7 more points. Lucic had 19 points to Foligno's 26, and Boqvist had 21 to 18 for Nosek - a bit of a non-trade trade there. So based on the pre-trades lineup: Out: Bergeron (58), Krejci (56), Hall (36), Foligno (26), Nosek (18): 194 points last year. In those roles this year: Zacha (57), Coyle (45), JVR (29), Lucic (19), and Boqvist (21): 171 points last year - a total drop of 23. Knock-on effect of moving up Coyle and Zacha: Geekie (28) and Coyle (45): 28. So all of this shuffling means an aggregate loss of about 52 points if a) no one produces more as a result of more opportunity, b) no one crashes down from current career highs, and c) the rest of the roster is neither adversely nor positively affected in terms of their overall production. 52 points is something between 18 goals (assuming 2 assists/goal) and 26 goals (1 assist per goal). Based on last year, that would given them something between 275 and 283 goals, which puts them somewhere between Florida at 6 and LA at 10. It is theoretically possible that all 52 points are assists, I suppose, and all on different goals by players not included here, which would indicate that the changes create a deep freeze across the roster. It's possible. But I think it's a worst case scenario, and not, as a lot of people seem to think, the most likely result. |
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Post by davinator on Sept 14, 2023 16:08:19 GMT
The good: Coyle took on a lot of defensive responsibility last year and tougher matchups than any other time in his career and did pretty good at it ---- that's one side of covering for what is lost in having Bergy on the ice against tough competition for his 17 a night The bad: Coyle simply isn't "that" good offensively beyond the occasional hot streak or head turning play that makes you wonder why he doesn't do that all the time. I don't see him turning into that either the verdict --- like you said, Zacha is fine, and this team has enough firepower to put together one really good offensive line on the strength of world class wings alone. Where we drop off is that second line offense. We really need Debrusk to drive a line, and I think we'll either need JVR to have a resurgence based on great chemistry, or we need to really hope that Lysell or Merkulov take a big step to turn that second line (yes, Coyle is the second line center) from a below average top 6 to at least average level. OR - Monty tries to spread the talent, in which case we are a team with 2 second lines, and no first lines. We used to always say 1A, 1B for Bergy/DK, now it will be 2A, 2B with no real first line. A lot is riding on Coyles shoulders right now in terms of how it all pans out IMO I agree that Coyle's performance is a big variable, but I wouldn't go quite as far as saying things ride on his shoulders. Maybe that's just semantics, but that feels like an excuse for guys getting paid a lot more or hoping to get paid a lot more - McAvoy, Pastrnak, Lindholm, Marchand need to take on the lion's share of the load, with DeBrusk, Ullmark, Zacha, Swayman all needing to show that when they get the chance Coyle got as a UFA, they're worth more. Then Coyle, in my eyes. But how Coyle performs as 2C could make a significant difference one way or the other. Last year, Coyle had 11 fewer points than Krejci in 12 more games, but 56 points isn't impossible for Coyle, though it is his career high. If he steps in with Marchand and DeBrusk, I think it's reasonable to expect that more gifted offensive linemates and more offensive opportunity should give him a chance to at least come close to Krejci's 56 points if not to match his .8 points/game. I think it's also "safe" to say that Coyle should be good for about 45 points. In 3 of his 4 years with the Bruins, he's banked something in the 0.52-0.54 points/game range including 44 and 45 points the last two years when he's played the full 82. So the drop in 2C production shouldn't be unmanageable unless it spills over to affect his linemates. DeBrusk had his worst time playing on Coyle's wing, and if I need a reason to be pessimistic about Coyle as a 2C, that's a big one. If Coyle and Debrusk tank one another they way they did three years ago, change is gonna come. And I hope swiftly. And I'll keep reminding myself and others that they don't need to match last year's offensive production to be a contender, but also that the loss of Bertuzzi, Orlov and Hathaway isn't that much of a subtraction from what they were for most of the year - which was an historically good team. In fact, their goals/game dropped after the acquisitions from 3.71 goals/game to 3.58. Hall, Foligno, Bergeron and Krejci are gone from that team, so that does hurt, but the task isn't as big as thinking they also have to account for the loss of Orlov, Bertuzzi and Hathaway. We've looked at this all a few different ways, and if their big guns don't collapse without those top two centres, and everyone plays up to their potential - not even their ceiling - then this will still be a top 15 to top 10 scoring team. If they also remain an elite defensive team, and keep their GA where it was, they'll still be a top 3 team in terms of goals for/against. The main thing with Coyle moving up is whether they can get 45 points from the 3C who replaces him. Geekie will be asked to replace Coyle who outscored him by 17 last year. JVR is the replacement for Hall; both played about 60 games and Hall had 7 more points. Lucic had 19 points to Foligno's 26, and Boqvist had 21 to 18 for Nosek - a bit of a non-trade trade there. So based on the pre-trades lineup: Out: Bergeron (58), Krejci (56), Hall (36), Foligno (26), Nosek (18): 194 points last year. In those roles this year: Zacha (57), Coyle (45), JVR (29), Lucic (19), and Boqvist (21): 171 points last year - a total drop of 23. Knock-on effect of moving up Coyle and Zacha: Geekie (28) and Coyle (45): 28. So all of this shuffling means an aggregate loss of about 52 points if a) no one produces more as a result of more opportunity, b) no one crashes down from current career highs, and c) the rest of the roster is neither adversely nor positively affected in terms of their overall production. 52 points is something between 18 goals (assuming 2 assists/goal) and 26 goals (1 assist per goal). Based on last year, that would given them something between 275 and 283 goals, which puts them somewhere between Florida at 6 and LA at 10. It is theoretically possible that all 52 points are assists, I suppose, and all on different goals by players not included here, which would indicate that the changes create a deep freeze across the roster. It's possible. But I think it's a worst case scenario, and not, as a lot of people seem to think, the most likely result. I agree with all you are saying but my biggest takeaway from your post was the reminder that you can or cannot use the word 'an' in front of the word 'historically' even though it does not begin with a vowel. Well done. |
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Post by 50belowzero on Sept 20, 2023 14:22:13 GMT
Was there really ever any doubt?
The Bruins are now Brad Marchand’s team.
Boston on Wednesday announced the veteran winger is the club’s next captain, as Marchand takes the torch from longtime friend and linemate Patrice Bergeron, who retired this summer.
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